Sydney Eclipse 2028: The Ultimate Skywatch

Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach & a Sunset Dinner Cruise

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your professional coach and crew for an in-depth sightseeing tour of Sydney.
Drive across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge to the North Shore, then head back through the city and east to Bondi Beach.

Take time to stroll the promenade and soak up the atmosphere of one of Australia’s most famous beaches.
Continue to Watsons Bay, near the sandstone headlands where the Pacific Ocean meets Sydney Harbour, then return to the hotel to freshen up.

In the evening, walk to Circular Quay and step aboard a glass-roofed harbour boat for a memorable sunset dinner cruise.
Dine as Sydney’s best-known landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, light up against the night sky.

Overnight: The Harbour Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney

Wildlife, the Blue Mountains & On to Dubbo

After breakfast, board your luxury coach and head west into the Australian countryside.
Your first stop is Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, where you can spend relaxed time with Australia’s one-of-a-kind wildlife, including:

• Koalas
• Kangaroos
• Wombats
• Reptiles
• Native birds

Next, continue to the stunning Blue Mountains and stop at Echo Point to see the famous Three Sisters rising above the Jamison Valley.

The journey continues through Lithgow and across the plains toward Mudgee.

On the way, watch an eclipse briefing film produced with the Australian National University, which explains what happens to the sky during a total solar eclipse and how to make the most of the 2028 Australian totality.

Reach Dubbo in the late afternoon.
Dubbo will be your home for the next three nights, placing you right in the path of totality.
Enjoy drinks before dinner, followed by dinner together.

Overnight: Cattleman’s, Dubbo

Dubbo: Wildlife, Astronomy & the Night Sky

Enjoy a relaxed day in Dubbo.
Your dedicated crew can help you book optional activities to suit your interests, such as:

• Dubbo Open Range Zoo
• The Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor experience
• Old Dubbo Gaol
• Wellington Caves

This evening, join an early dinner hosted by astronomer Peter Starr, who holds a Master’s degree in astronomy and is the former manager of the renowned Siding Spring Observatory.

After dinner, head with Peter to Dubbo Observatory for an exclusive stargazing experience.

Spend about 75 minutes under the clear winter skies of New South Wales, with a laser-guided tour of the southern constellations.
Observe planets, star clusters and deep-sky objects through the observatory’s 17-inch PlaneWave telescope and other telescopes, with Peter’s expert commentary throughout.

Important: This evening session takes place outdoors, and July nights in Dubbo can be very cold, so please dress warmly.

Overnight: Cattleman’s, Dubbo

Total Solar Eclipse

Witness Totality at Dubbo Observatory
Today is the high point of your Australian journey.

After a late breakfast, take time to get your photography gear ready before heading back to Dubbo Observatory.
Peter Starr and his team will have set up a dedicated viewing area, with telescopes for guests who haven’t brought their own and plenty of space for those with camera equipment.

Eclipse Timeline (local time in Dubbo)

• 12:34 PM – First contact: the partial eclipse begins
• 1:55 PM – Totality begins
• 1:57 PM – Maximum eclipse, with the Sun about 32° above the horizon
• 1:59 PM – Third contact: the diamond ring reappears
• 3:12 PM – Fourth contact: the eclipse ends

As the Moon slowly covers the Sun, the afternoon light shifts, shadows sharpen and the air grows cooler.
At 1:55 PM, the last bead of sunlight vanishes and totality begins.

For 3 minutes and 51 seconds, the Sun is fully eclipsed, revealing the breathtaking solar corona in the middle of the day.
After totality, celebrate with a festive lunch and entertainment while the partial phase continues.

Peter Starr will wrap up the experience with expert commentary and insights into the eclipse you’ve just seen.
Return to Dubbo afterward for a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Cattleman’s, Dubbo

The Dish & Mount Stromlo Observatory, Canberra

After breakfast, leave Dubbo and head south toward Canberra.
On the way, watch The Dish, the much-loved Australian film about the radio telescope that helped broadcast the first Moon landing to the world.
Travel on through New South Wales and into the Australian Capital Territory via Yass, arriving in Canberra.

Tonight brings an exclusive astronomy experience at Mount Stromlo Observatory, home of the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Enjoy a private visit hosted by Associate Professor Brad Tucker.

Tour the observatory and discover its history, including the scientific work carried out on the site.
The evening continues with guided stargazing through the outreach telescopes, followed by a late supper back in Canberra.

Overnight: Novotel Canberra

Canberra, Australia’s Capital

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before starting your Canberra sightseeing.
Head up Mount Ainslie for sweeping views over the capital, including Anzac Parade, the Australian War Memorial, Lake Burley Griffin, Parliament House and the Brindabella Ranges.

The rest of the day is flexible, so you can explore Canberra however you like.
Your crew will run an all-day shuttle between several of the city’s key landmarks, including:

• Australian War Memorial
• National Gallery of Australia
• Australian National Botanic Gardens
• Old Parliament House
• New Parliament House
• National Carillon
• Royal Military College, Duntroon
• Australian Institute of Sport
• Questacon
• Royal Australian Mint
• Canberra city centre

This evening, mark the last night of your trip with a special dinner at a surprise location, shared with the fellow eclipse chasers who made this remarkable journey with you.
Overnight: Novotel Canberra

Canberra to Sydney: Journey’s End

After breakfast, leave Canberra and head north to Sydney.

Pass Lake George, then travel through Goulburn, Mittagong and the historic Georgian village of Berrima.
Arrive in Sydney shortly after lunch, where your eight-day Australian eclipse adventure comes to a close.

You’ll leave with memories of Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains, the Australian outback, the southern night sky and, above all, the once-in-a-lifetime sight of totality in Dubbo.

Guests who want to stay longer in Sydney or connect to an onward flight can arrange extra nights, transfers and sightseeing.